acetylcholinesterase

A Dictionary of Psychology

acetylcholinesterase n. An enzyme that hydrolyses acetylcholine to acetic acid and choline. By destroying acetylcholine after its release from the terminal boutons of presynaptic neurons and from postsynaptic receptors after a nerve impulse has been triggered, it stops further postsynaptic nerve impulses. Also called cholinesterase. See also nerve gas, physostigmine. AChE abbrev.[From acetylcholine + ester + -ase denoting an enzyme, from Greek diastasis separation]

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© A Dictionary of Psychology 2001, originally published by Oxford University Press 2001.

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